The Great British Bake Off returned with a fresh batch of amateur bakers put to the test in cake week, but fans think star baker Janusz could already be the Channel 4 favourite.
The opening episode of the Channel 4 show on Tuesday night saw the 12 contestants tasked with baking 12 signature mini sandwich cakes, a classic red velvet technical and a home-inspired showstopper.
Janusz from Brighton, 34, was the first to be awarded the coveted star baker title after impressing judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith with his Polish-inspired mini cakes and his extravagantly decorated showstopper of his mother’s flat.
After winning he said that receiving the title for cake week meant “everything to him” and took a moment outside the tent to call his boyfriend and share the good news.
Outside the tent he told the cameras: “I’ve cried so many times. I think my boyfriend will be really proud and will say, ‘you can make cake and I’ve told you you can make cake’.”
Overcome with emotion while on the phone, he said: “Hey honeybun, I just wanted to tell you that I won star caker in the bake week,” giggling as he realised his blunder.
The contestants were first challenged to create 12 identical mini sandwich cakes, with whatever sponge, flavours and fillings they desired, within two hours.
Dame Prue admitted that it appeared like “quite a simple challenge”, but said what they were looking for is “a bit of originality”.
Personal assistant Janusz took inspiration from his Polish heritage for his bake which combined pistachio and cherry vodka liqueur to create his wuzetka bake.
Dame Prue said it was “light and boozy” which to her was “perfect”, while Hollywood felt there was too much of an alcoholic flavour for him.
GBBO fans now think Jacusz could be a favourite to win the competition and took to Twitter to congratulate him on the first week success.
One wrote: “Janusz is so adorable! My winner already!” as a second said: “GBBO does anyone else try to guess the winner? We reckon it'll be Janusz this year.”
“Janusz "Star caker in the bake week" think he's my favourite,” a third wrote as a fourth added: “Janusz to win. Adorable.”
“Yay glad it’s back and my new early favourite is deffo Janusz,” a fellow fan penned. Another concluded: “Catching up on GBBO and Janusz is my winner already.”
*The Great British Bake Off continues on Channel 4
